Val d'Isere

Better than the rating you've given it

Okay it's expensive, okay there are French locals (it is France afterall), okay there are a couple of stuck up British tw@ts but come on...

...are you sure you went to the right resort?

Tignes might have the Sache and the Grande Motte with the excellent reds running down off it but overall Val's got much better terrain and a better lift system. Sure it's all linked anyway but you'll waste half the morning getting to the good stuff. l like Tignes but you spend half the day sitting on the antiquated lifts.

In my experience the locals in Val are friendly if you make an effort youself (the possible exception being the supermarket checkout droids). Do you really care if some of the punters are more interested in stocking up on Prada, furry moon boots and Chanel skis? If it keeps their road-kill trimmed one piece battys off the pistes then that suits me fine. The Face, Orange or the glacier runs with some nice fresh snow, spice of life mate. You stay in Tignes though ;-)

User rating 5 out of 10

Scrotum

Val is a great place to party, but it is well expensive, even if you are a seasonaire there. The village has more of a feeling of being part of the Kings Road rather than a town specifically for snowboarding or skiing. Most of the clientel are swaning about shopping rather than being out on the slopes. The skiing area is huge and is linked to Tignes which does have better pistes. The main thing to most people is that it is high and you will almost always have snow since there is a glacier.

User rating 6 out of 10

Over priced average pistes

This resort has a huge area for boarding and is also linked with Tignes, all for the same price on one lift ticket. There is plenty of off piste, with a 45 minute powder run off the side of the Cugnai peak. However, this is an avalanche area so check conditions first.

France has some amazing mountains, but it is such a shame about the locals. Even when you speak French, as soon as they know you are English they ignore you. I couldnt believe that the Tourist Information people were totally unhelpful when I enquired about transport out of the resort.

The town is a typical purpose built 1970's place with shopping precincts selling furry Yeti boots etc. for the rich skiers. There isnt much alpine character or charm, like the resorts of Austria or Switzerland.

Unfortunately alcohol is very expensive - 5 quid for a tequila and 4 quid for a beer. I spent 80 quid a night for a 'Residence' room for 2 people which wasnt exactly luxurious. I even had to pay extra for sheets and a towel - BARGAIN !

There is no apres ski in the resort, but Magoos bar hosts live bands some nights.

In my view it is better to stay in Tignes as it is cheaper and the same terrain is accessible. However, my experience here with the locals and the service they provided completely put me off France and I havent avoided the country ever since.